Self-supporting cover for watercraft

ABSTRACT

A cover for a transportation vehicle includes a cover body having a first portion and a second portion and a self-supporting anti-pooling system associated with the first portion of the cover body. When the cover is installed about the transportation vehicle, the first portion of the cover is raised relative to the second portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of 63/208,787 filed Jun. 9, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a cover configured for use with a transportation vehicle, and more particularly, to a winding device used to support the cover on a transportation vehicle.

Many transportation vehicles, such as power boats for example, utilize a canvas or fabric cover to protect at least the interior of the vehicle from the elements, thereby enabling the vehicle to be stored outside. When the cover becomes wet, the cover tends to sag and lose the necessary slope required for proper drainage. As a result, water often collects or pools in the sagging or depressed areas of the cover. In many instances, the collected water becomes fairly large and heavy making removal of the cover, and therefore the water difficult. In addition, these large pools of water sometimes have sufficient weight to tear the cover.

To avoid water collecting on the cover, upwardly bowed stays or supports are often removably mounted on the floor of the vehicle, underneath the cover. The supports and straps are intended to retain the cover in a desired position to limit the potential for water accumulation on the cover. However, installation and removal of cover and the associated floor supports may be cumbersome.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a cover for a transportation vehicle includes a cover body having a first portion and a second portion and a self-supporting anti-pooling system associated with the first portion of the cover body. When the cover is installed about the transportation vehicle, the first portion of the cover is raised relative to the second portion.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the first portion is at a top of the cover body and the second portion is at a side of the cover body.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the self-supporting anti-pooling system further comprises a support panel affixed to the cover body and a support pole positioned between the support panel and the cover body.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments at least one edge of the support panel is affixed to the cover body.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a pocket is defined between the cover body and the support panel, and the support pole is arranged within the pocket.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the support panel is formed from a single piece of material.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the support panel is formed from a plurality of pieces of anchoring material and a plurality of pieces of webbing.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the first portion of the cover body further comprises an upper mounting bracket and the support panel further comprises a lower mounting bracket, wherein when a surface tension is applied to the cover body, the upper mounting bracket and the lower mounting bracket are vertically aligned.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the cover body has a front end and a rear end, the self-supporting anti-pooling system being arranged closer to the front end than the rear end.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the cover body has a front end and a rear end, the self-supporting anti-pooling system being arranged closer to the rear end than the front end.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the vehicle is a watercraft.

According to an embodiment, a watercraft includes a body including a floor. A cover is installable about the body. The cover includes a self-supporting anti-pooling system, and a surface tension of the cover maintains the self-supporting anti-pooling system at a distance offset from the floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary transportation vehicle including a prior art anti-pooling system;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the exemplary transportation vehicle of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a prior art anti-pooling system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a watercraft having a cover with an integral self-supporting anti-pooling system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an cross-sectional view of a cover with an integral self-supporting anti-pooling system according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is a top view of a support panel of the self-supporting anti-pooling system according to an embodiment.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure will detail particular embodiments according to the present invention, which provides a cover for a transportation device, and more particularly to a self-supporting assembly of the cover. Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 , a transportation vehicle 10, such as a watercraft for example, including a prior art anti-pooling system 20 is illustrated. Although the watercraft is illustrated as a boat, it should be understood that the transportation vehicle is not limited to a boat or other personal watercraft. Other vehicles, such as snowmobiles, automobiles, motorcycles, etc., are also considered within the scope of the disclosure. The prior art anti-pooling system 20 includes at least one support pole 22 configured to mount at a first end 24 (FIG. 3 ) to the floor of the boat 10. Rigidly mounted at the second, opposite end 26 of the pole 22 is a webbing attachment device 28. Multiple webbing straps 30 extend from a plurality of elevated, central attachment points (not shown) formed in the webbing attachment device 28 and are configured to connect to a plurality of peripheral attachment points 12 located at various positions of the boat 10. When the webbing straps 30 are deployed in such a manner, the webbing straps 30 and the at least one support pole 22 provide an underlying structure for supporting a cover (not shown). The positioning of the support pole 22 and the webbing straps 30 retain the cover in a desired position to prevent pooling of water on the top surface thereof. When the cover is not deployed, the anti-pooling system 20 may be removed and stored.

With reference now to FIGS. 4-6 , an example of a cover 40 having a self-supporting assembly according to an embodiment is illustrated. The cover 40 may be made of a flexible, impermeable material which is dimensioned and configured to conform closely to exterior contours of the watercraft 30. The cover 40 has a bottom 42, which defines an opening large enough to fit over a hull of the watercraft 30. The bottom 42 of the cover 40 is fitted to and secured about the periphery of the hull by at least one securing feature, such as an elasticized band about the bottom edge 42. The cover 40 generally includes a front end 44, a rear end 46 arranged opposite the front end 44, sides 48, and a top 50. The cover 40 may include one or more vent or pressure differential devices 52 arranged within an opening (not shown) formed in the cover 40. These vents 52 are configured to exhaust air from underneath the cover 40 to an exterior of the cover 40.

As best shown in FIG. 5 , the cover 40 includes a self-supporting anti-pooling system 60. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the self-supporting anti-pooling system includes a support panel 62 permanently or removably coupled to a bottom surface 54 of the cover 40 at a location adjacent to an area of the cover configured to be pitched, illustrated generally at 56 in FIG. 4 ). As shown in FIG. 3 , the area of the cover configured to be pitched is arranged at a central portion of the top 50 of the cover 40 located near the front end 44 of the cover 40. In such embodiments, the self-supporting anti-pooling system 60 may be located fore of a windshield of the watercraft 30. Alternatively, or in addition, the cover 40 may include an area configured to be pitched located aft of the windshield, for example at a position between the windshield and the rear end 46 of the cover 40.

In an embodiment, attached to the lower surface 54 of the cover 40 at the area of the cover configured to be pitched 56 is a top or upper mounting bracket 58. The support panel 62 similarly has a bottom or lower mounting bracket 64 attached thereto. When the support panel 62 is taut, as will be described in more detail below, the lower mounting bracket 64 is generally arranged in vertical alignment with the upper mounting bracket 58.

The support panel 62 may be formed from a single piece of material affixed along at least a portion of its edges to the underside 54 of the cover 40. In such embodiments, the material may, but need not be the same material as the cover 40. However, in other embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 6 for example, the support panel 62 may be formed by a plurality of anchoring pieces 66 affixed to the underside 54 of the cover 40 and a plurality of pieces of webbing 68 coupled to the plurality of anchoring pieces 66. The pieces of webbing 68 are configured to connect the lower mounting bracket 64 to a respective one of the plurality of anchoring pieces 66. Further, in an embodiment, each of the anchoring pieces 66 may be a fraction of the size of the support panel 62 in embodiments where the support panel 62 is formed from a single piece of material. As shown, the lower mounting bracket 64 is positioned generally centrally between the plurality of anchoring pieces 66. However, embodiments where the lower mounting bracket 64 is skewed towards a side of the support panel 62 are also within the scope of the disclosure. Although the support panel in FIG. 6 is illustrated and described as a combination of pieces of anchoring material 66 and webbing 68, it should be understood that a support panel 62 having any suitable configuration for mounting the lower mounting bracket 64 underneath the upper mounting bracket 58 is contemplated herein.

Because the sides of the support panel 62 are affixed, such as sewn for example, to the cover 40, the central portion of the support panel 62, such as the portion containing the lower mounting bracket 64, is movable relative to the cover 40. As a result, as best shown in FIG. 5 , a pocket 70 is defined between the support panel 62 and the lower surface 54 of the cover 40 directly adjacent to or in overlapping arrangement with the support panel 62.

With continued reference to FIG. 5 , the self-supporting anti-pooling system 60 additionally includes a support pole 72. The support pole 72 is arranged within the pocket 70 between the upper mounting bracket 58 and the lower mounting bracket 64. By mounting the support pole 72 between the mounting brackets 58, 64, the support pole 72 is configured to separate the central portion of the support panel 62 from the lower surface 54 of the cover 40 to expand the pocket 70. The support pole 72 may be permanently affixed within the pocket 70, or alternatively, may be removably connectable to one or both of the upper and lower mounting brackets 58, 64. In an embodiment, the support pole 72 is slidably receivable within the pocket 70, such as via an opening (not shown) formed in the lower mounting bracket 64. In such embodiments, a retaining device, such as a spring catch 74 for example, is connectable to the support pole 72 to restrict movement of the support pole 72 from the pocket 70. However, embodiments where the support pole is retained within the pocket via another suitable retaining feature, such as via engagement of a key on the support pole 72 with a respective feature in one of the mounting brackets 58, 64 for example are also contemplated herein.

When the cover 40 is installed about the watercraft 30 and the support pole 72 is positioned within the pocket 70 and coupled to the upper and lower mounting brackets 58, 64, the surface tension of the cover 40 similarly transmitted to the support panel 62. The surface tension acting on the support panel 62 maintains the support panel 62 at a position offset from the floor 76 of the watercraft 30. Further, as previously described, the support pole 72 is used to open the pocket 70, by spacing the underside 54 of the cover 40 from the support panel 62. Because the support panel 62 is maintained at a distance D offset from the floor 76, inclusion of the support pole causes the area 56 of the cover 40 including the upper mounting bracket 58 to be raised relative to the adjacent portions of the cover 40, and for example, relative to the sides of the watercraft 30 as shown in FIG. 5 . In this raised configuration, water is configured to drain to the sides of the watercraft 30 as a result of the slope created in the top 50 of the cover 40 by the self-supporting anti-pooling system 60. It should be understood that in an embodiment, a secondary support (not shown) may be positioned between the floor 76 and the support panel 62, to restrict movement of the support panel 62 towards the floor 76 when excess weight is applied to the cover 40. Any weight applied to the cover 40 that is sufficient to overcome the surface tension acting on the support panel 62 and move the support panel 62 towards the floor 76 may be considered “excess weight” or weight exceeding the applied forces for which the self-supporting anti-pooling system 60 was designed. This secondary support may be particularly useful during off-season storage, such as when a snow-load is acting on the cover for example.

By integrating the self-supporting anti-pooling system 60 into the cover 40 of a vehicle, a separate anti-pooling system is not required to be set up for use in conjunction with the cover. In addition, the support pole of the self-supporting anti-pooling system 60 is substantially shorter and more compact than the poles of existing anti-pooling systems. In an embodiment, the length of the support pole is reduced by at least ⅓, and in some embodiments by up to ½ or even ⅔ of a support pole of an existing anti-pooling system required for the same application. This reduction in length allows for easier shipping and storage of the cover 40 including the self-supporting anti-pooling system. 

1. A cover for a transportation vehicle comprising: a cover body having a first portion and a second portion; and a self-supporting anti-pooling system associated with the first portion of the cover body, wherein when the cover is installed about the transportation vehicle, the first portion of the cover is raised relative to the second portion.
 2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the first portion is at a top of the cover body and the second portion is at a side of the cover body.
 3. The cover of claim 1, wherein the self-supporting anti-pooling system further comprises: a support panel affixed to the cover body; and a support pole positioned between the support panel and the cover body.
 4. The cover of claim 3, wherein at least one edge of the support panel is affixed to the cover body.
 5. The cover of claim 3, wherein a pocket is defined between the cover body and the support panel, and the support pole is arranged within the pocket.
 6. The cover of claim 3, wherein the support panel is formed from a single piece of material.
 7. The cover of claim 3, wherein the support panel is formed from a plurality of pieces of anchoring material and a plurality of pieces of webbing.
 8. The cover of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the cover body further comprises an upper mounting bracket and the support panel further comprises a lower mounting bracket, wherein when a surface tension is applied to the cover body, the upper mounting bracket and the lower mounting bracket are vertically aligned.
 9. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover body has a front end and a rear end, the self-supporting anti-pooling system being arranged closer to the front end than the rear end.
 10. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover body has a front end and a rear end, the self-supporting anti-pooling system being arranged closer to the rear end than the front end.
 11. The cover of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a watercraft.
 12. A watercraft comprising: a body including a floor; and a cover installed about the body, the cover including a self-supporting anti-pooling system, wherein a surface tension of the cover maintains the self-supporting anti-pooling system at a distance offset from the floor. 